39/4. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2167a — Boundaries in Initiating Salam
The Prohibition Of Initiating The Greeting With The People Of The Book, And How To Respond To Them
Hadith About Not Initiating Salam to Jews and Christians
Sahih Muslim : 2167a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2167a
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، - يَعْنِي الدَّرَاوَرْدِيَّ - عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ تَبْدَءُوا الْيَهُودَ وَلاَ النَّصَارَى بِالسَّلاَمِ فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمْ أَحَدَهُمْ فِي طَرِيقٍ فَاضْطَرُّوهُ إِلَى أَضْيَقِهِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Do not greet the Jews and the Christians before they greet you and when you meet any one of them on the roads force him to go to the narrowest part of it.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2167aIn-book reference : Book 39, Hadith 16USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 26, Hadith 5389
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2167a
This Hadith gives a specific instruction about initiating salam. Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said not to greet the Jews and Christians before they greet you. The narration also mentions what to do when meeting one of them on the road. Because the text is direct and sensitive, the explanation should stay close to its wording and not add wider claims that are not stated here. The core topic is salam boundaries. It is about who begins the greeting in this case. It is not a text about adding insults or harsh speech. The wording is short, specific, and should be read carefully.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Hadith says not to begin salam to Jews and Christians.
- The instruction is tied to a specific road-meeting situation.
- The text does not add permission for insulting speech.
